“On paper, it was a no-brainer. Anderson, 54, a Madison resident, lifelong Presbyterian and current executive director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, had completed all of the necessary requirements for ordination. His résumé was spectacular: a Princeton Theological Seminary graduate, 25-plus years in the field, a wealth of ecumenical service and a glowing list of referrals.

There was just one problem: Anderson was openly engaging in a same-sex relationship with his partner of nearly 20 years. That prompted the Caledonia Presbyterian of Portage to seek to block his ordination.”